"Search the entire city for a bastard named Erebus. Once you find him, grind his bones into dust."
Lorgar gave the order to the captain of his guard.
At the moment, Lorgar was deeply conflicted. Erebus—what a troublesome existence. From what he remembered of his previous life, in that short story Child of Chaos, Erebus had originally been a good man—until a vile imposter stole his identity.
But now, Lorgar wasn't sure whether that replacement had already happened. If Erebus had been swapped, then fine—he'd simply crush him like an insect.
But if he hadn't… then what should he do?
After a brief moment of thought, Lorgar made up his mind: to hell with it. Whether he's been replaced or not, he'd kill Erebus first and mourn later.
If he turned out to be the real one, Lorgar would give him a moment of silence. If he was the fake, then it was fireworks and celebration.
Before long, a report came in. The soldiers had searched every corner of the capital— even the slums—yet not a single person named Erebus could be found.
"Well, maybe he's in another city? No, that can't be right. It'd take forever to find him like that."
"Wait a moment…"
Lorgar slapped his thigh as a thought struck him. Erebus might have joined the Covenant Church. He hadn't ordered anyone to check there yet.
"Senatis, I have something for you to do," Lorgar said, turning to his captain.
"Yes, Archbishop. Give the order," Senatis answered with barely contained excitement.
"I need you to investigate the Covenant Church. Look for a man named Erebus."
"Understood, my lord."
Senatis accepted the command with fervor and immediately led a squad of guards toward the grand church that housed the Covenant.
"Damn that wretched Covenant Church," Lorgar sighed. "I'll have to find a way to dissolve it within the year."
He'd long suspected that the so-called Covenant Church was nothing more than a mirror image of Chaos itself—perhaps even a direct creation of those four damned Chaos Gods.
"Family… we've been played by Chaos," he muttered bitterly.
As time passed, unease gnawed at him more and more. Finally, Lorgar decided to go see for himself.
His maids and attendants fastened gleaming silver armor over his body, and Lorgar took up a warhammer adorned with a snarling lion's head before leaving the vast palace.
For the record, Colchis was still a slave society—compared to it, even the system of North Korea looked progressive.
Meanwhile, inside the Covenant Church, Senatis had already forced his way in, sword in hand. A baptism ceremony was underway when he arrived.
"Nobody move! The great Archbishop seeks a man named Erebus! If you know who he is, bring him out now!" Senatis's voice thundered through the hall.
"The Archbishop? Lorgar is looking for me?"
From within the congregation, a man in a red robe stepped forward.
His gaze was sharp and cruel, his expression venomous, and his pupils brimmed with calculation.
"You're Erebus?"
Senatis and his guards raised their weapons, eyes hardening.
"The Archbishop demands your presence. I advise you to come quietly," Senatis warned.
Erebus's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering within them.
"Has Lorgar discovered something? Impossible… that fool couldn't have found out what I've done."
As that thought passed through his mind, another voice echoed deep within his soul.
"Why do you fear them? You are the chosen vessel of the Celestial. This is merely a test of your faith."
"Accept it. Accept the power that is rightfully yours."
Listening to the seductive whisper within, Erebus's expression twisted into anticipation.
Seeing that Erebus wasn't resisting, Senatis motioned with his hand. Several soldiers rushed forward, seizing Erebus by the arms and preparing to escort him back to Lorgar.
Crack! Crack!
The moment Senatis turned away, Erebus erupted into motion.
A wicked grin spread across his face as, in an instant, the necks of the soldiers holding him snapped like twigs. Their lifeless bodies fell to the floor of the radiant chapel.
"Damn it!"
Senatis lunged, thrusting his sword at Erebus. But Erebus didn't dodge. He swatted the blade aside with one hand, shattering it instantly.
"Submit to me, Senatis. The Celestial will grant you everything you desire," Erebus hissed, his smile stretching unnaturally.
"Monster," Senatis spat under his breath.
Despite his wounds, he didn't give up. One of his guards had already escaped to call for reinforcements. His only duty now was to hold Erebus here.
Drawing a dagger from his belt, Senatis steadied himself once more.
"You still wish to resist? Foolish mortal."
Erebus surged forward, striking Senatis with brutal force. The impact sent him flying several meters before his spine slammed into the church's supporting wall.
"Pfft!"
Blood burst from his mouth. The dagger slipped from his grasp, clattering somewhere unseen.
"Looking for your weapon? How amusing."
Erebus walked leisurely toward him, the broken sword in his hand mending itself with crackling blue psychic energy.
"Come now—fight me. The Celestial only watches those who keep fighting!" he laughed maniacally.
"You don't understand, Senatis. I've already surpassed you. Even that fool Lorgar would fall before me now," Erebus sneered, closing in on the fallen captain.
The surrounding believers didn't move to help. Senatis could sense something wrong with them, but his body refused to respond.
Every ounce of strength he had left went into glaring at the advancing Erebus.
"You look exhausted, Senatis," Erebus murmured.
"Next, I'll send you—and your family—straight to the Celestial's realm to keep you company."
He grabbed Senatis by the collar and slammed him hard against the wall.
"Remember the name of the one who sends you to the heavens! I am Erebus, the Child of Ch—"
Boom!
Before he could finish, the great doors behind him exploded inward, blasted off their hinges by a colossal force. The dozen or so cultists nearest the entrance were instantly crushed into red mist.
"Erebus! You damned bastard!"
Through the swirling dust and sunlight stepped a towering figure.
"Tell me, Erebus," Lorgar's voice roared through the shattered chapel, "did those worthless gods of yours ever mention that in my eyes… you're nothing more than a little girl?"